Sunday, July 27, 2008

Dayton Edward Lancaster
Shelley and Mark Lancaster of Vega announce the birth of their son, Dayton Edward Lancaster. He was born May 11, 2008. He weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and was 19¾ inches long. He has two brothers, Nathan and Braden. Grandparents are Janette and Charles E. Moss of Amarillo, Doris and E.J. Lancaster of Bridgeport and the late Maurine Lundberg. Great-grandparents are LaVerne Ballew of Canyon, the late E.A. "Gus" Ballew and the late Wilma and Noble Moss.

Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler
Sandy and Jerry Wheeler celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary July 5 at the Ambassador Hotel. The event was hosted by their children and their spouses.

Allred - Eddins
Meredith Ashley Allred and Craig Anthony Eddins of San Diego were married Saturday, April 19, at Christ's Community Fellowship in Vega. The Rev. Randy Shrader officiated.

Mr. and Mrs. McGuire
Gaye and Mark McGuire of Amarillo celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a trip overseas in February and a trip to Albuquerque, N.M., this month.

Mr. and Mrs. Beard
Debbie and Tom Beard of Amarillo celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to St. Kitts.

Long - Hilliard
Tawney Lynn Long and Kelly Dewayne Hilliard were married Friday, July 25, in the Weminuche Wilderness area in Pagosa Springs, Colo. The Rev. Louis Day officiated.

'Deadheads' tune up for orchestra
BALTIMORE - When the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra warms up Friday, the musicians will be clad in their usual summer attire: White dinner jackets and bow ties for the men, white tops and black skirts or slacks for the women.

'Guillotine' a grisly history
France routinely used the guillotine as its official method of capital punishment until 1977, when Hamida Djandoubi became the last man guillotined in the port town of Marseilles.

Christian novelist dies of malignant brain cancer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Award-winning Christian romance novelist Kristy Roberts Dykes escorted readers of her blog down her final path of life assured that God had placed "a cloud of peace over her and a chair of strength under her." Her walk ended Monday when she died at her home of malignant brain cancer diagnosed in November. She was 56.

Sony opens up e-book Reader to other booksellers
NEW YORK - With the market for electronic books still relatively sleepy, Sony Corp. is trying a new tack: untethering the latest model of its e-book reading device from its own online bookstore.

Anthology reaffirms the printed word
Those of us who traffic in words for a living feel somewhat under siege these days, like a Donkey Kong machine sitting forlornly in the corner of a ramshackle pizza parlor while teenagers on the sidewalk outside play Grand Theft Auto on their handhelds.

Peters writing new role for herself
LOS ANGELES - Someone's purse seems to be ringing, and Bernadette Peters assumes it must be hers. Her schedule is jam-packed with publicity appearances for her children's book, "Broadway Barks," a touching story about a dog in need of a home, which comes with a CD of a lullaby she wrote. The book, named after the annual event she started with Mary Tyler Moore to help shelter animals, is Peters' first - and her royalties will be donated to the charity.

'Art of the Olympians' shows athletes' other side
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Al Oerter was an abstract artist, who also happened to be pretty good at the discus. So good, in fact, that he won gold medals in four straight Olympics to become one of track and field's biggest stars in the 1950s and 1960s.

Commission OKs HP's buyout of EDS
PALO ALTO, Calif. - Hewlett-Packard Co. said Friday the European Commission has approved its planned acquisition of Electronic Data Systems Corp. without conditions. The companies have also agreed to settle five shareholder lawsuits related to the buyout.

Proposals draw scrutiny
WASHINGTON - Thousands of gallons of water pulse through cascading waterfalls and rapids at Adventure Mini Golf in Lake Worth, Fla. The course, which covers about an acre, features different elevations.

'White spaces' are touted as an alternative to Wi-Fi
WASHINGTON - The nation's top technology companies have spent millions of dollars and nearly two years building devices, poring over laptops and working in federal labs trying to come up with a new way of providing high-speed Internet to bandwidth-hungry cities as well as hard-to-reach rural regions.

People in Business
More than 30 young entrepreneurs will set up shop from 1-5 p.m. today at Center Court in Westgate Mall for the Kids in Business Sale.

Drop in oil shows up at pumps
NEW YORK - Whether or not any bubble has burst, Americans now live in an economy where the prospect of a gallon of gas for less than $4 is cause for relief.

Fuel prices hit horse power
HOUSTON - Mounting fuel, feed and hay prices are driving up the costs of horse ownership and making it harder to sell colts, yearlings, wild stallions and other horses.

Foreclosure rescue plan on track to pass Senate
WASHINGTON - The Senate cleared the last hurdle Friday to passing a housing rescue aimed at sparing hundreds of thousands of homeowners from foreclosure and bolstering troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Fewer homes built in 2008
The spending pendulum might soon swing from new home construction to remodeling, one Amarillo building industry representative said.

Food industry bitten by lobbying
WASHINGTON - The food industry pressured the Bush administration years ago to limit the paperwork companies would have to keep to help U.S. health investigators quickly trace produce that sickens consumers, according to interviews and government reports reviewed by The Associated Press.

Rule provides better 401(k) disclosure
WASHINGTON - Millions of participants in 401(k)-style retirement plans would receive more information about the costs of those programs, a move that could help boost savings, under a rule proposed by the Labor Department.

Angela Anne White
Vickie and Bill White of Quanah announce the engagement of their daughter, Angela, to Anthony Allen Milligan, both of Lubbock. Grandparents of the bride-elect are Aileen White of Amarillo and Betty Rowland of Quanah.

Alex Beth Pletcher
Lori and Dallis Pletcher of Dumas announce the engagement of their daughter, Alex, to Joshua Michael Bruton. Grandparents of the bride-elect are Kathy and Doyle Cates of Buffalo, Okla., and BR and Janice Pletcher of Perryton.

Taylor Weil
Caron and Roger Weil of Amarillo announce the engagement of their daughter, Taylor, to Bradley Van Valkenburg.

Claire Bailey
Cathy and Russell Bailey of Amarillo announce the engagement of their daughter, Claire, to Jake Benson. Grandparents of the bride-elect are Pat Bailey of Amarillo, the late Warren G. Bailey and the late Jimmie and Dayle Tipton.

Jessica Adams
Janice and Robert Adams of Gruver announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica, to Kevin Black. Grandfather of the bride-elect is William F.D. Etling.

Alison Renae Gabel
Barbara and Kevin Gabel of Amarillo announce the engagement of their daughter, Alison, to Keith Scott Jacoby.

Sarah Elizabeth Johnson
Sue Johnson and Don Johnson, both of Amarillo, announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah, to Jonathan David Shopay.

Faith Briefs
One Silver Astronaut, the resident rock band of the Mosaic Church in Los Angeles, will present a free concert at 7 p.m. today at Amarillo South Church, 6901 Bell St. Info: 806-356-6613.

Congregational Corner - Metropolitan Community Church
Mission Statement: Metropolitan Community Church of Amarillo exists to minister within the LesBiGay and transgender community of the High Plains, serving as a beacon of God's love shining forth, faith in God, hope for justice, and acceptance in the community for all who would come as they are believing as they do.

Catholic history for sale
Bibliophiles have an opportunity to indulge their passion Friday and Aug. 2 when the Catholic Historical Society and Catholic Museum and Archives Center offer books from the personal library of one of Amarillo's early bishops.

Maryland church opens park to homeless
BALTIMORE - St. Vincent de Paul Church boasts a 15-story tower that presides over an increasingly gentrified neighborhood bounded by City Hall and the home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

James Hallmark: 'Keep on keepin' it on' good thought
While catching a flight home recently I spotted a young lady wearing an interesting T-shirt. She was attractive by any standard, probably late high school or college, sandy-blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing stylish cargo pants, tennis shoes and a green T-shirt, nondescript except for what was printed on its front: "pro-modesty."

Meal programs feeling the pinch
The continuing rise in the price of gasoline, food and utilities has put the squeeze on some area agencies that provide meals to senior citizens. But Amarillo Meals on Wheels so far has avoided falling into that vice.

Ry Cooder keeps L.A. sound alive
LOS ANGELES - It was more than 50 years ago but Ry Cooder remembers it like it could have been last week; he was 8 years old and Johnny Cash came on the radio singing "Hey Porter."

Neil Young documents anti-war tour in film
NEW YORK - Not every musician will make a film that features a fan facing him from a concert audience with two arms raised, middle fingers extended - more than one fan, in fact.

Dr. Gott: Vertigo treatment not just a passing thought
Dear Dr. Gott: You have written about vertigo several times. In a few, some of the writers said that they were taking Lipoflavonoid. I have suffered from vertigo for a number of years. It comes and goes, but this last attack has lasted for six weeks with no signs of letting up, so I decided to try this product. However, having searched in several vitamin stores and calling several more, I could not find the product and was told that it did not exist. They said they had a product called "Bioflavonoids" and perhaps what I had read was just a misprint. I purchased a package and am trying it, but I think you should write a correction in your column, because I am sure there are many more people out there looking for a product that isn't real.

'Brideshead' not for the purists
The question is not whether the remake of Evelyn Waugh's 1945 book is as good, as rich, as deeply satisfying as the landmark 11-hour British TV series of the same name that aired here in 1982, launching the career of a then-unknown Jeremy Irons. How could it be? Even at more than two hours, this feature-length version of Waugh's tale of homosexuality, class envy, God and redemption must highlight certain themes, de-emphasizing - or eliminating - others for the sake of brevity.

Fashion Rocks to feature top performers
NEW YORK - Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce and Rihanna will perform at the fifth annual Fashion Rocks concert celebrating the relationship between music and fashion.

Dear Abby: Decorum in doc's office in short supply
Dear Abby: I work in a medical office and would like your help in asking patients when entering the clinic to please respect the privacy of the people ahead of them and not peer over their shoulders when they sign in. It is not only rude, but also a violation of HIPAA privacy laws.

Heloise: Take care feeding birds
Dear Readers: There are lots of bird lovers out there. Did you know certain foods and beverages can be harmful to your pet bird? Here is a partial list of some of the foods and beverages to avoid feeding your bird (my thanks to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals):

Dear Abby: Houseguest fears dropping conversational ball
Dear Abby: I am a 43-year-old male with major dental issues to take care of. Because I have no insurance, and dental work is costly, I plan to have my treatment overseas. A close friend has arranged for me to stay with his parents for two weeks while I'm there.

Ghost towning one way to explore the Old West
LAKE VALLEY, N.M. - The howling wind across a remote landscape, a creaky metal gate or a run-in with a rattlesnake or gun-toting local are the things that attract ghost towners. They are history buffs who take their outdoor adventures with a dash of mystery.

No match for their moms
NEW YORK - The lesson the fashion world is teaching parents during the back-to-school shopping season is: If you can't beat them, join them.

Youngsters tie for Canadian Open lead
OAKVILLE, Ontario - Anthony Kim made nine birdies and an eagle in 21 holes Saturday in the Canadian Open for a share of the lead with Chez Reavie during the suspended third round at rain-softened Glen Abbey.

Teeing with big boys
Tom Doughtie hopes the third time will be a charm when he tees it up for the first round of the U.S. Senior Open on Thursday at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Crossfire win another game in USSSA World Series
The Amarillo Crossfire won their second bracket game of the USSSA World Series on Friday in Bentonville, Ark., defeating the Oklahoma Oilers, 7-3. Kameron Bennett pitched five innings for the Crossfire, finishing with six strikeouts. Glen Warrick closed the game for Amarillo, going two innings with four strikeouts.

Astros end Brewers' 8-game win streak
MILWAUKEE - Wandy Rodriguez allowed one run on three hits in six innings to help the Houston Astros snap the Milwaukee Brewers' eight-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory on Friday night.

Hamilton comes up huge again for Rangers
OAKLAND, Calif. - Josh Hamilton hit a three-run homer to increase his major league-leading RBI total to 103, and the Texas Rangers beat All-Star pitcher Justin Duchscherer and the Oakland Athletics 9-4 on Saturday.

Philippines offers $220,000 for gold
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government and the private sector are offering $220,000 to any athlete who brings home the country's first Olympic gold medal, an official said Friday.

Gymnast aims to match OU alumnus
NORMAN, Okla. - They competed in different generations, but one significant factor links Bart Conner and Jonathan Horton - their alma mater, the University of Oklahoma.

Crossfire win, advance to USSSA championship
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Amarillo Crossfire advanced to the championship game of the United States Specialty Sports Association 14-under regional tournament with a 10-8 victory Saturday over the Kansas Cardinals.

Athletes consider masks
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Designing protective masks to help athletes cope with the elements is nothing new for the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Scientist says Viagra should be banned
CANBERRA, Australia - An Australian sports scientist who helped develop a test to detect EPO thinks the abuse by athletes of legal performance-enhancing substances could become a major issue at the Beijing Olympics.

'He's with me in spirit'
This was supposed to be a thrilling time for Dara Torres. Preparing to swim in her record fifth Olympics at age 41 and with a chance to add to her pile of 10 career medals, she got the shock of her life.

Hardy claims she's innocent of doping
In the final days of training camp with her U.S. Olympic teammates, Jessica Hardy was trying to nap between practices when she got the most dreaded of phone calls for any athlete: She had tested positive for an illicit drug.

Madrid officials hope to host 2016 Games
MADRID, Spain - The organizers for Madrid's 2016 Olympic bid are headed to Beijing looking for inspiration and networking opportunities in the hopes of boosting the city's chances of becoming a host city.

California firm buys Wells Fargo building
A California partnership wasn't out of the Amarillo office business too long, selling the Bank of America Center last week and buying the Wells Fargo building Friday.

Inmate autopsy points to assault
The 51-year-old man found dead in his cell Thursday at the William P. Clements Unit northwest of Amarillo has been identified as Roger Keith.

Correction
Friday's story "Betty Ford counselors in Amarillo" which appeared on Page 1B incorrectly stated how the group's travel expenses are paid to Amarillo.

Builder seeks extension for Barfield work
The developer of the Barfield Building in downtown Amarillo has asked for a second extension of a deadline he must meet to qualify for future property-tax incentives.

Cause of grass fire under investigation
Potter County Fire-Rescue is investigating the cause of a two-acre fire that occurred two miles west of Amarillo on Thursday, assistant chief Pat Fitzpatrick said.

Experts: Sending more troops could backfire
WASHINGTON - Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain say more U.S. troops should be sent to Afghanistan, and President Bush agrees. Deploying additional forces could backfire, however, if the United States and its allies don't devise a coherent strategy to defeat the Taliban insurgency, strengthen the Afghan government, bolster the country's economy and deprive Islamic militants of their safe haven in neighboring Pakistan.

Intruders threaten woman at gunpoint
Two teenagers entered a house through an open garage door and one threatened at gunpoint a woman who was reading a newspaper at her dining table at 9:30 a.m. Friday.

Oil, gas reserve for sale
AUSTIN - The University of Texas System board of regents has unanimously approved a plan to sell some of the oil and natural gas reserves beneath the system's vast West Texas lands for about $1 billion.

Amarillo weighs new irrigation rules
The cost to hear the metronomic noise of sprinklers will increase once an Amarillo committee approves new state regulations on irrigation systems.

Frozen taxes strap budgets
Voters approved a tax freeze for seniors and people with disabilities in 2006, and now local governments strapped for cash are coming back to them with hands out.

Potential VP options weighed
WASHINGTON - The choice of a running mate isn't a make or break decision. But for Democrat Barack Obama, the unveiling of an understudy and campaign surrogate-in-chief will be the biggest test yet on the road to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Road closure sought
Smelter Road in north Amarillo could be closed to traffic if the city approves a developer's request, but residents who drive the road daily plan to protest the change.

Carpooling gains popularity
Rising gas prices have prompted at least one Panhandle company to offer new programs to employees to help them save money. B&W Pantex has started carpooling and van pooling programs.

Minor injuries
Emergency responders clean up a three-car crash Friday at the intersection of Northeast 15th Avenue and North Mirror Street . Amarillo Police Officer Jake Miller said the brown Pontiac Grand Prix collided with the southbound silver Pontiac Grand Am, pushing it into the northbound white Ford Expedition. Miller said an unknown number of occupants were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Polls show candidates close
WASHINGTON - If conventional wisdom ruled politics, Barack Obama would be on his way to the White House after last week.

TxDOT consolidating duplicate jobs
The Texas Department of Transportation intends to save about $35 million a year by consolidating duplicated jobs at four regional service centers.

Polygamist custody case now divided 234 ways
SAN ANGELO - The judge who had her custody decision reversed on more than 400 polygamist sect children has ordered the cases divided by mother, meaning there are now 234 separate child welfare cases from the Yearning For Zion Ranch.

Right running mate could help offset McCain's weaknesses
AUSTIN - When a columnist reported last week that Sen. John McCain might announce his running mate in the midst of Barack Obama's international tour, it caused a stir. Few episodes are guaranteed to generate more attention in the political theater of a presidential race. And for McCain, his decision on the ticket could tell a lot about how he hopes to win.

Column - Talmadge Heflin: Shine the light on state government
AUSTIN - At every level of Texas government, non-partisan efforts for greater transparency and accountability are gaining ground. The public's desire for open government and heightened public scrutiny has motivated our legislature to adopt a series of bold reforms.

Thinking Out Loud
John Board has at least one legitimate - and quite personal - reason for switching to a random selection method for seating grand juries.

Column - Judy Hawley: Highways getting much-needed state examination
DALLAS - The Texas Department of Transportation is an almost daily target for a variety of critics including candidates for political office, newspaper editorial boards and conspiracy theorists. The debate over expanding Texas' roadways, if nothing else, has increased public awareness of transportation issues such as funding, siting, permitting and right of way acquisition.

Letter: Congress should share blame for Freddie-Fannie mess
Congress and the administration are just as responsible for the mess with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as they are. That guilt is why Congress now feels compelled to bail Wall Street out yet again with taxpayer money when Wall Street, that lover of all things deregulatory, creates disastrous losses which threaten the entire economy. Now, the government's explicit independence of Fannie and Freddie when they were created has morphed into an explicit guarantee of shareholder value when Fannie's and Freddie's management teams muck everything up.